In a must-win game, Baysox starter David Hess threw seven one run innings to lead Bowie to 9-1 win over Reading Friday night. One game after the Fightin Phils offense exploded for nine runs, Hess limited them to just three hits while striking out eight in the win.

The Baysox win means the Best-of-5 series is now tied 2-2 and the teams will play one final game Saturday at P.G. Stadium at 6:05 p.m. for the Eastern League Championship. Tickets for Game 5 of the series are now on sale at www.baysox.com.

The Baysox got off to a great start in the bottom of the first inning against Reading starter Ben Lively. Corban Joseph drew a lead-off walk and moved to second base when Mike Yastrzemski reached on a bunt single. With one out, Quincy Latimore drew a walk to load the bases and Garabez Rosa followed with a two-RBI double down the left field line. Chance Sisco followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Baysox a 3-0 lead.

Reading got a run back in the top of the fourth inning against Hess. Cam Perkins drew a one-out walk and moved to third base on a Dylan Cozens single to left field. Perkins then scored on a wild pitch to make the score 3-1.

Bowie added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Corban Joseph hit a one-out double to right field and Yastrzemski followed with a walk. Trey Mancini then brought Joseph home with a single to left field to give the Baysox a 4-1 lead.

The Baysox added three insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Glynn Davis and Joseph singled before Yastrzemski was hit-by-a-pitch to load the bases. Ryan O’Sullivan then replaced Lively on the mound and surrendered a two-RBI single to right field from Quincy Latimore. Rosa walked to load the bases again before Sisco brought a run home with a sacrifice fly to make the score 7-1.

Bowie kept hitting the Reading bullpen in the eighth innings, scoring two more runs against reliever Tom Windle. Ozzie Martinez drew a lead-off walk and moved to third base on a Davis single. Davis moved to second base on a wild pitch before a Joseph groundout and Yastrzemski sacrifice fly plated two runs to give the Baysox a 9-1 win.

Baysox relievers Jason Stoffel and Andrew Triggs combined to pitch two scoreless innings to close out the game. The duo allowed just one hit while striking out four.

Lively threw seven innings plus three batters and allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four in the loss.